Origin
Brookwood, AL
Late night in Brookwood on Wednesday
Local time
2:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brookwood, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 36m
Distance
83.2 mi
134 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 51m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 40m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brookwood, AL
Jan Wright
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Brookwood to Tuscaloosa, expect a straightforward 83.2-mile journey that takes approximately 1 hour and 36 minutes to complete. This route is best suited as a quick day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Dallas County 21, State Route 5, and East Avenue. Budgeting about $11 for fuel is sufficient for this trip, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers in the Southeast. Since the entire drive stays within Alabama, you can expect a consistent local atmosphere throughout the transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
41.6 miles from Brookwood, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate cruise, this trip features a 0% highway share, meaning you will be navigating local roads for the entire 83.2 miles. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on Dallas County 21 is 0 miles, you should be ready for frequent adjustments and a more hands-on driving experience. The winding nature of these roads creates a distinct personality that feels much different from high-speed transit. It is a practical, technical drive that requires steady focus rather than long periods of cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dallas County 21 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Brookwood, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is easy. At 1h 36m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Brookwood, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas County 21 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| State Route 5 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Water Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| State Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tuscaloosa Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Dallas County 21
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brookwood, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on Dallas County 109
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dallas County 109
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Dallas County 21
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
·
Dallas County 21
3
Turn right
4.2 mi
·
7 min
4
Turn right
436 ft
·
19 sec
5
Turn straight onto State Route 5
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Route 5
6
Take the ramp left
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
7
Turn right
9.0 mi
·
11 min
8
Turn right onto East Avenue
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
East Avenue
9
Turn left onto North Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Street
10
At the end of the road, turn right onto Water Avenue
18 mi
·
25 min
·
Water Avenue
11
Turn left onto State Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
12
Turn right onto Tuscaloosa Street
34 mi
·
46 min
·
Tuscaloosa Street
13
Continue straight
3.6 mi
·
4 min
14
Continue straight
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
15
Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
16
Turn right onto University Boulevard
285 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
17
Turn left
167 ft
·
12 sec
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever best fits your schedule. With no planned stops included in the route, you can easily complete the 1-hour and 36-minute drive in one continuous effort. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these roads can make the drive feel longer than the distance suggests, so ensure you are well-rested before departing. Since you will be spending roughly $11 on fuel, it is wise to check your levels before leaving Brookwood to avoid unnecessary pauses. Prioritize steady driving and caution on the curves to ensure a smooth arrival in Tuscaloosa.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.6 miles from Brookwood, AL, or about 48m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.6 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tuscaloosa, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brookwood, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brookwood, AL
This is one driving day of about 83.2 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brookwood, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.6 mi from Brookwood, AL · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.6 miles from Brookwood, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tuscaloosa, AL
The final approach into Tuscaloosa, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Tuscaloosa, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.57 one way
$25.13 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $13.79 | $27.59 |
| premium | $4.56 | $14.93 | $29.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.37 | $36.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25 | 0 | $8.74 | $3.99 |
| Efficient EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.28 | $3.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.65 | $5.32 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Late night in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday
Local time
2:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Butler, AL
42 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
30 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 36m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Brookwood, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 83.2 miles and takes about 1h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dallas County 21, State Route 5, East Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.6 miles from Brookwood, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.57 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Brookwood, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is easy. At 1h 36m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Brookwood, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Brookwood, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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